Gaardsoe tests Pompey's class

Portsmouth 1 Ipswich Town 1

In the process of running away with the First Division, which they have led since 23 August, Portsmouth will hope not to run into many teams of the calibre of the resurgent Ipswich. But for the astonishing profligacy of their Spanish striker, Pablo Counago, Ipswich would have inflicted a third defeat on Portsmouth.

As it was, Ipswich put a severe dent in the confidence of Harry Redknapp's team, seizing control after 30 minutes of home domination. Paul Merson's genius worried the visitors at first and the familiar, eager running of Steve Stone, on his debut since joining on a free transfer from Aston Villa, was another cause for concern. But Ipswich – who had their captain, Matt Holland, operating in the back three – eventually took control of the midfield through the tireless running of Tommy Miller, Jim Magilton and Jamie Clapham. Only the lamentable efforts of Counago in front of goal stopped Ipswich underlining their recent return to form with a win.

Portsmouth's flamboyant chairman, Milan Mandaric, who had George Best as his guest at this match, made the sort of error committed by so many executives with his pre-match praise of his team. "Like pupils who have grossly underachieved at school for the past three years we have suddenly matured," he confided in his programme notes. "The class of 2002-03 has suddenly found its direction and vocation."

Initially it seemed an appropriate comment as Merson ran the show – wearing gloves when he might have done better to don a miner's lamp in the fast-thickening mist. After setting up Lassina Diabete for a 25-yarder which flew too high, the Portsmouth captain found Svetoslav Todorov with an outside-of-the-boot long pass which Best, watching from the stands, would have been pleased to call one of his own.

The Bulgarian Todorov, Portsmouth's top scorer, put his side in front in the 19th minute with his 12th goal of the season. Matthew Taylor, Portsmouth's most consistent performer, crossed hard and low from the left, Andy Marshall lost possession and Todorov knocked it in.

This setback provoked Ipswich retaliation and the first of Counago's misses. Hermann Hreidarsson, Magilton and Clapham combined neatly to set up the chance but the point-blank shot struck the top of the crossbar and flew into the crowd. Next, Clapham's dummy left Counago alone, but he miskicked miserably. Richard Naylor also struck the bar.

On either side of the interval Portsmouth could have increased their lead. Just before half-time Marshall saved brilliantly from the persistent Stone and just after the resumption a curving, speculative shot by Merson somehow found its way through a crowded area, eluded Marshall and came back off an upright.

Ipswich finally landed their equaliser in the 54th minute when Magilton's corner from the right saw the Dane Thomas Gaardsoe soar higher than anyone else to head home. Shaka Hislop, not the busiest goalkeeper in this division, suddenly earned his wages, especially after the lively Marcus Bent had replaced Naylor. Bent's first contribution was an inviting centre which the hapless Counago skied into the visiting supporters' section, and Bent then demanded a feet-first stop from Hislop. The goalkeeper followed up by savingHreidarsson's header.

The departure of Merson in the 72nd minute indicated how Portsmouth's hopes had fallen, but a win was still on offer when Taylor got into the area only to be pulled down from behind by Fabien Wilnis. As the crowd howled for a penalty Taylor regained his feet to find the net, but an offside flag had been raised.

Ipswich's easy command of the second half was only threatened when, in the closing minutes, Chris Makin was shown a red card for a second bookable offence and Portsmouth mounted a desperate bid to secure a victory that they would not have deserved.